Jamie McCombe's late header ensured League One leaders Doncaster maintained their grip at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over promotion rivals Swindon.

McCombe headed in David Cotterill's corner in the 80th minute to keep Rovers ahead of the chasing pack, although Bournemouth made sure the gap was two points following their win over Scunthorpe.

Doncaster's victory meant Swindon missed the chance to move up into second place. Instead they remained in fifth, but the damage of their defeat was minimised as promotion chasing Brentford suffered a defeat at the hands of MK Dons and Sheffield United drew a blank against Carlisle.

Bournemouth kept their bid for automatic promotion to the Championship alive thanks to Brett Pitman's fifth goal in five games.

Pitman volleyed the ball home in the 11th minute to give the Cherries a narrow win over relegation-threatened Scunthorpe, who are in the bottom four on goal difference.

Brentford, however, lost ground in their attempts to secure automatic promotion when MK Dons beat them 2-0 at the Stadium mk.

Dean Bowditch's 30-yard strike gave the home side the advantage in the fourth minute before Stephen Gleeson sealed the win which keeps the Dons in with a chance of making the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United were unable to make the most of their one-man advantage as they drew 0-0 with 10-man Carlisle.

Sean O'Hanlon was sent off in the 74th minute for his second bookable offence but the Blades were unable to find the killer blow and lost ground on the top two.

Elsewhere, Yeovil moved into the top six with a 2-1 win over Notts County.

Paddy Madden opened the scoring for Yeovil on the stroke of half-time before Alan Judge levelled through a penalty just after the break.

Matthew Dolan put the visitors back in front directly from a free-kick in the 52nd minute which was enough for them to claim their first win in six games.

Leyton Orient kept the play-off places in their sights with a 2-0 win over Bury.

Jimmy Smith scored the opener in the ninth minute before David Mooney's strike just after the half hour mark was enough to secure the win.

Crewe beat Preston 1-0 thanks to Bradden Inman's first half score while Max Ehmer's goal for Stevenage was enough to beat rock bottom Hartlepool 1-0 and hand Graham Westley victory in his first game back in charge at the club.

Portsmouth remained in the relegation zone despite a 1-0 win over Tranmere.

David Connolly struck early in the second half to give Pompey a vital win, but they are still four points adrift of safety.

The defeat meant Tranmere remained outside of the play-off places, two points behind sixth-placed Yeovil.

Walsall kept themselves in contention for the play-offs as Jamie Paterson and Craig Westcarr both scored twice to inspire them to a 4-0 win over 10-man Coventry.

Paterson scored a goal in each half with Westcarr's penalty and header keeping them in the hunt for a top-six finish.

Jordan Stewart was sent off for Coventry midway through the second half for his second bookable offense.

Tom Eaves scored a hat-trick as Shrewsbury beat Crawley 3-0.

Eaves fired three second half goals to move his side seven points clear of the relegation zone.

In the other game, strugglers Oldham and Colchester shared the points as they drew 1-1 at Boundary Park.

Drey Wright opened the scoring for Colchester in the 20th minute but it was cancelled out by Jose Baxter's 68th minute score as both sides missed the chance to pull away from the relegation scrap.

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.